Downtown Dallas could soon lose both of its big league sports draws.
After more than two decades at the American Airlines Center, the Dallas Stars are exploring a move to Plano, joining the Mavericks in considering new homes once their leases expire in 2031. The Stars’ ownership advisory group met last week and identified Plano as a leading contender for a future arena site, the Dallas Business Journal and Front Office Sports reported.
Arlington is also in the mix. The concept under review would mirror sports-anchored entertainment districts like The Battery in Atlanta or Texas Live! in Arlington — sprawling mixed-use campuses designed to keep fans eating, shopping and spending long after the final buzzer.
The NHL franchise, owned by Canadian hotel and restaurant developer Tom Gagliardi, has deep roots in Collin County. The team already runs youth programs in Plano and operates its practice and front-office hub out of the Comerica Center in Frisco. Team president and CEO Brad Alberts confirmed talks with Plano officials but said no decision has been made.
The site search marks a notable shift for Alberts, who just two years ago publicly backed staying at the AAC, calling it “a great place to play for a long time.” Built in 2001, the 20,000-seat arena is a centerpiece of the Victory Park district and a key contributor to downtown’s economy.
The Stars and Mavericks have brought billions in economic impact to the area since moving in, according to the city.
But 2031 looms as a turning point. The Mavericks, owned by Las Vegas Sands owners Miriam Adelson and Patrick Dumont, have already said they plan to build a new arena before their lease expires, with one option reportedly being the site of Dallas City Hall — a downtown parcel the city may sell or redevelop, the Dallas Morning News first reported.
If both franchises leave, it would represent a seismic shift for downtown’s entertainment ecosystem. The departures would follow other corporate moves under consideration, including AT&T’s potential exit, threatening to sap economic energy from the city’s core while further supercharging growth in the suburbs.
The Stars say they’re “evaluating all options,” but if the Collin County trend holds, the next great Dallas sports district could be miles from downtown.
— Eric Weilbacher
Read more
Loews buys hotel next to $550M, 900-key it is building in Arlington
Dallas Mavericks seeking arena site in city limits by year’s end
Dallas quietly hires Hillwood to scout Mavericks arena sites
Hines scores $130M refi for Victory Park multifamily tower
